So I tried the run, but I clearly hadn't drank enough water and my calves were unbelievably painful so I had to stop. I felt awful that I paused because everyone says that it's their favourite run of the programme, meanwhile there I was, 7 minutes in with a paused session, trying to stretch out my calves before going again. So I press play and I go again, positive that surely I can make the next 13 minutes. But once again, after another 5 minutes my calves were burning and I couldn't take another step of even walking, so I stretch out again, it's agonising but I have another 8 minutes to go. I tell myself again that I can make it if I go slow. Alas, another 4 minutes and I'm struggling too much to push it for the last 4. I pause, stretch out, and finish those last 4 minutes.
So I ran for 20 minutes but it wasn't constant and I felt terrible. I'm so disappointed, it's mind over matter but my mind wasn't strong enough. Now the fear of the run was building, I didn't want to have to go through that again and give up because of one bad run. So I decided not to repeat it. That decision hurt, I know I should repeat it until I can manage but my subconscious had been continuously building it up for too long for me to try again.
I try week 6 run 1 and I manage. I feel great for progressing to the next week but awful that I skipped a run. Should I go back and complete it or keep going with week 6? I'm at a bit of a loss so I could really do with some advice here. I have a 10k coming up in 5 months time so I know I cant truly give up but I'm feeling a bit flat to say the least.
On a somewhat separate note, my running partner is far more capable of running that I; she seems to have a natural affinity for it while I am better at cycling. So when I run with her I find myself running at her pace and feeling exhausted, even if it is an earlier run that I have already completed by myself (we don't always run together and we don't stick perfectly to the every other day timing). I don't want to stop running with her but I need to go at my own pace without slowing her down and halting her progress.
Any tips?
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Sorry you had a struggle with 5:3, but don’t panic: you’re asking a lot of changes from your body and your calves are telling you you’re pacing it too fast ! Slow down, and if it still hurts, slow down again. Personally, I wouldn’t try running the programme with your partner. Do C25k yourself; when you’re with her, run for fun. Encourage her to lap you, or to go on ahead and come back to you. Always remember the First Rule of C25k: The only run you fail is the run you don’t go for ! Enjoy the journey x
Perhaps you're right, I've managed to make it so we're running on opposite days so we don't clash but I don't want to be mean to her; she runs about 10 mins per mile while I'm more comfortable with 11-12 mins per mile. I know she finds it easier to run with someone but I think that's because she doesn't listen to music during, whereas I do. Next time I may take your advice and suggest she go ahead and I'll speed walk faster on the walking so we're still out together and getting the other running without anyone being too limited or pushed. Thanks!!
Oh, and what people love about 5:3 is that glorious moment when your coach tells you you’ve done it and can slow down, not the run itself. Definitely repeat when you’re ready: 6:3 and all the following runs depend on it. If your legs aren’t ready, don’t panic; run what you can, note the time, walk the rest. The following time, aim to beat that time, and keep whittling away until you conquer it. It took me nine weeks of repeats just to beat week 1, but I promise it paid off in stamina later. Happy running 😀
I may do 6:2 then and once I've managed that I'll know I can do the time with the only difference being the interval... Week 1 was definitely awful but I've made it this far so I've got to keep going. I feel so much more motivated, thank you!! 💪
I didn’t follow couch 2 5k app until week 5. I just would read the plan each week and do my own thing. I jumped in on week 5 run 2, struggled, only ran 6 on the second but of running. I then tried run 3 and only made it to 13 mins before giving up. I found stepping back and analysing really helped. I realised I hadn’t always been having the rest day. I also realised how far I had come in the 6 weeks I’d been doing my own thing and congratulated myself for that.
I then had a couple of rest days and took myself back to week 5 run 2. With proper rest days, I found run 3 a lot easier. I have to admit that the first 10 mins were be worst and it took a lot to power through the aches, but I then found the last 7 mins enjoyable, and probably had it in me to do another minute if I’d had to.
I’d also suggest seeing if your friend can slow to your pace or to try it alone. That run for me was so slow, I’d have probably walked it quicker, but I think I’d have struggled more if I’d have had to try and keep up with someone else.
I’m now on week 7 and am definitely realising the importance of rest days.
Thank you, and congrats on doing it yourself that’s awesome!! I keep forgetting it’s not about pace at this point, it’s getting your head around the idea of the jogging motion for a longer period of time without the intervals it has gotten used to. I’ll have a chat to her before our next run 😊
I much prefer to run alone apart from faithful spaniel. I can go at my own pace, so I think that some of the suggestions above from previous posters are very good. I have been asked “ can I come with you” but for me this is one journey that I’m going to do alone. After I have graduated which I’m determined to do, then if they ask again I’ll be happy for company. My pace is very slow, but steady! I know if I was with someone else at this stage I would feel I had to go quicker which would probably stop me from enjoying what I’m doing and completing C25K.
If only I wasn’t at uni I would definitely be out running with my dog too 😪 My dad gets the pleasure of running alongside the pup instead. It’s frustrating because if I go home and run with my dad, we go at the same pace and it works really well! But he’s not a massive jogger either so we’re pretty equal in that sense. I think you’re right, as with the other suggests, I should make this my own thing to do and if I want to go with her then potentially slow down or do a previous run and go at her pace 👌🏻 Thank you and good luck with your journey too!!
Hey there, repeat it when you have a free day but carry on with the plan where you are x I’m all for repeating runs if you want to doesn’t have to be because you stalled or hurt yourself, sometimes just to give myself the re-assurance that I actually did it. I think you are wanting some of that despite your experience with that specific run. Be kind to yourself, don’t beat yourself up.
It’s difficult to know whether I should repeat it or not just because 6:3 is 25 mins anyway so I’m half tempted to see if I can do that one but perhaps it’s too much of a push?
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Week 5 run 3 in the bag!
C25K: Week 5, Run 3!
Week 5 run 3
Week 5 run 3 :-) 
Week 5 Run 3...
